DURHAM -- A petition sent to the mayor of Brock and its six councillors accusing Story Book Farm Primate Sanctuary of animal cruelty is a tactic to discredit the operation by supporters of Darwin, better known as "the Ikea monkey," says Mayor Terry Clayton.

The petition, with some 116 signatures, was hand-delivered to council members' homes Wednesday evening. It calls for an investigation into the sanctuary where Darwin now lives.

Darwin's owner, Yasmin Nakhuda, launched a lawsuit Dec. 14 in a bid to have the monkey, which is not a legal pet in her home community, returned to her. The rhesus macaque used to eat, sleep and shower with her, she said, and she's concerned their bond could be weakening.

A judge ordered the monkey to stay at the sanctuary just days before Christmas. The case will be back in court later this month.

They're trying to discredit (the sanctuary), and h

On Thursday afternoon, a posting on a Facebook page called Darling Darwin Monkey indicated that a petition had been delivered to the town, the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Charities Directorate, requesting "an investigation in several allegations of cruelty, hoarding, manipulation, lack of experience and abuse of their charitable status by the Sanctuary."

It's unclear if those involved with the Facebook group circulated the petition.

Numerous requests for an interview went unanswered.

Mayor Clayton said the man who delivered the petition wouldn't identify himself but was upfront about why it was being presented.

"They're trying to discredit (the sanctuary), and he said it was what they were trying to do," said the mayor. "Their allegations are far from accurate."

Brad Dewar, a spokesperson for the OSPCA, said that as of late Thursday afternoon the petition had not been delivered to its office. The OSPCA can't begin an investigation without first interviewing a witness to the alleged misconduct, he said.

"Petitions are great for identifying concerns, but from an investigation standpoint, we need eyewitnesses to come forward to engage in an investigation," he said. "Otherwise it's assumptions."

Mayor Clayton said the petition will be given to Town staff. He wasn't sure if it would come before council.